pEPR Scheme Sparks Alarm in UK Glass Sector
The UK’s glass manufacturing sector is under significant strain due to the government’s Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR) policy, according to the industry body British Glass. The organisation has criticised the scheme, claiming it imposes disproportionate costs on glass producers and risks major economic and environmental consequences.
Skyrocketing Costs for Glass Packaging
The pEPR initiative calculates fees based on the weight of the packaging material placed on the market. According to British Glass, this results in glass producers facing fees nearly 49 times higher than those for alternative materials. These excessive costs could drive businesses to replace glass with cheaper, less sustainable materials like plastic, contradicting the government’s circular economy ambitions.
Dave Dalton, Chief Executive of British Glass, commented:
“The government has disregarded industry feedback, pushing forward with a flawed policy that is devastating for the glass sector and UK manufacturing. While we support reforming packaging waste collection to promote a circular economy, this policy unfairly impacts glass packaging, threatening jobs in key manufacturing regions and increasing costs for both consumers and small businesses.”
Dalton also expressed concerns about the environmental implications:
“This policy will unintentionally encourage more plastic use, which is far less recyclable and sustainable than glass. We call on the government to reconsider its approach and collaborate with businesses to avoid the damaging consequences of this legislation.”
Risk of Shifting Towards Plastics
British Glass has raised alarms that the weight-based fee structure will incentivise producers to move away from glass and towards plastic, which is generally less recyclable.
Dr Nick Kirk, Technical Director at British Glass, explained:
“The intention behind pEPR is to promote the use of recyclable materials. However, the current fee system penalises glass, despite its being 100% recyclable and infinitely reusable without loss of quality. This will distort the packaging market, unfairly favouring materials that are less environmentally friendly.”
He added that consumers are likely to feel the impact directly. For example, the pEPR fee for a 330ml glass bottle could add at least 10p to its retail price after supply chain margins and VAT. This, British Glass warns, is already prompting manufacturers to switch to alternative packaging materials ahead of 2025.
Wider Consequences for the Glass Sector
The organisation also noted an uptick in imports of glass packaging from countries outside the EU, where production generates more carbon emissions. These imported goods, often 20% cheaper than UK-made products, may undercut domestic manufacturers while absorbing the pEPR costs more easily.
“This policy fails to account for the global competition the UK glass industry faces,” stated Kirk. “The increased reliance on imports will not only threaten local jobs but also contribute to a greater global carbon footprint, directly opposing the government’s sustainability goals.”
Urgent Call for Policy Revisions
British Glass is urging the government to revisit the pEPR framework, emphasising the importance of aligning it with environmental priorities and the realities of global markets. The industry body insists that collaboration with stakeholders is essential to prevent unintended economic and ecological fallout.
Without swift action, the organisation warns, the UK glass sector risks being “shattered” under the weight of these reforms.